City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 4, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Receipt and Referral of Broadband Franchise Proposals for Use of Public Right-of-Way
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ISSUE: Receipt and referral of proposals for the granting of a broadband services franchise agreement of the public rights-of-way for City Manager review.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive the names of the bidding companies that submitted proposals to the City in accordance with the terms and specifications outlined in the ordinance passed by City Council on November 13, 2021;
2. Request and receive any additional proposals from any potential bidders at Council's January 11, 2022 meeting;
3. Refer proposals to the City Manager for evaluation, review and consideration in the manner prescribed by law, including the negotiation of a franchise agreement with preferred bidder(s); and
4. Direct the City Manager to recommend to Council as soon as feasible, a recommended firm or firm(s) to be awarded a Right of Way Broadband Franchise by Council.
DISCUSSION: On November 13, 2021, City Council adopted an ordinance to solicit proposals for a franchise to use the City's right-of-way to construct and provide broadband services to City residents. The City has only one fiber-based broadband provider (Comcast), and needs to facilitate price competition, higher speed and service competition by seeking additional provider(s). In November City Council authorized the City Manager to initiate and establish a process for soliciting and granting non-exclusive franchise proposals for use of the public rights-of-ways from broadband providers to design, construct, install, operate, maintain, repair, upgrade, and remove a fiber to the premises broadband network for offering broadband internet access to City of ...
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